PrimaLoft Infinity passes its first test

As noted in a previous post, PrimaLoft earlier this year announced it had developed a new product, Infinity, that would provide a much improved weight-to-warmth ratio than original versions of the synthetic down fill. In other words, better performance at a lighter weight.

Well, the first review is in from Backpacker Magazine, which said the Eastern Mountain Sports Boreal 20 degrees (first sleeping bag with the new Infinity) stuffed down smaller than a “Nerf,” which is a great improvement over the previous Boreal, which used Polarguard3D synthetic and took up more room in a backpack than your tent. While the new Boreal generated an overall positive review, there was a drawback:

The bag kept one of our cold-sleeping testers warm on freezing December nights in southern Utah, but he and others peg the 20 degree F temperature rating as a few degrees optimistic.

But one advantage the Boreal has over other three-season bags is the price. EMS is selling it for $139. My guess is if you’re on a budget and looking for a good bag to slumber in during an autumn trip, the Boreal is your bag.

And the Boreal weighs in at only 2 pounds, 13 ounces, which as a synthetic bag is down there with 800-fill goose down bags.